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Method and apparatus for controlling electrical currents in a vehicle

a technology for controlling electrical currents and rail vehicles, applied in the field of vehicles, can solve problems such as requiring early maintenance, affecting service life, and putting on bearing races

Inactive Publication Date: 2016-03-03
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is an apparatus, method, and vehicle that are all related to controlling electrical currents. The apparatus is a device that includes a head, a body, and a brush that can be used to electrically contact an axle shaft of a vehicle. The method involves inserting the grounding device into an aperture in the motor suspension unit of a vehicle and securing it to create an electrical contact with the axle shaft. This helps to shunt electrical current away from the bearings of the motor suspension unit. The vehicle version of the invention also includes the grounding device in the aperture of the motor suspension unit to ensure electrical safety.

Problems solved by technology

These currents are capable of causing electrical discharges in the bearings, which may result in pitting on the bearing races.
Over time, these pittings, along with the vibrations due to travel along the track, may cause characteristic patterns on the bearing races known as “fluting,” which may result in decreased service life requiring early maintenance.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for controlling electrical currents in a vehicle
  • Method and apparatus for controlling electrical currents in a vehicle
  • Method and apparatus for controlling electrical currents in a vehicle

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0016]Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with respect to locomotives, or other rail vehicles that travel along a rail or track, embodiments of the invention may also be applicable for use with vehicles and machinery generally, such as, for example, off-highway vehicles.

[0017]As used herein, “electrical contact,”“electrical communication” and “electrically coupled” means that the referenced elements are directly or indirectly connected such that an electrical current may flow from one to the other. The connection may include a direct conductive connection (i.e., without an intervening capacitive, inductive or active element), an inductive connection, a capacitive connection, and / or any other suitabl...

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Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes a head portion, a body portion having a distal end opposite the head portion, a brush extending from the distal end of the body portion. The brush is configured to electrically contact an axle shaft of a vehicle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]Embodiments of the invention relate generally to vehicles. Other embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for controlling electrical currents in a rail vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the rail industry, rail vehicles are utilized to transport passengers and / or cargo from location to location on a track. A typical rail vehicle, such as a diesel electric locomotive, is propelled by exerting torque to drive wheels associated with the locomotive that are in contact with rails of the track. The power to propel the locomotive is typically provided first as mechanical energy by a high horsepower diesel engine. The diesel engine drives a generator that converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy. The electrical energy is transferred to traction motors which convert the electrical energy back to mechanical energy in order to drive axles connected to the drive wheels. Friction between the drive wheels of the locomotive and the rails provide ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B60L50/10B61F15/20F16C41/00
CPCB61F15/20B60L11/02F16C41/002B61C5/00B61C9/50B60L50/10F16C2326/10Y02T10/7072Y02T10/70
Inventor PETERS, III, JAMES, THOMASKARENZI, JEAN, PIERREGUPTA, SUDHIR, KUMAR
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO